Removal of organic compounds from Microcystis aeruginosa by coagulants and its mechanisms

Abstract

Algae organic matter (AOM) has always been a threat to the effective operation of water treatment processes. Coagulation is the most effective way to control the contamination. In this study, AlCl3, PAC and HPAC were investigated as the coagulants. The removal performances were considered by detecting TOC, turbidity, apparent molecular weight (AMW) and fluorescence excitation-emission matrix (FEEM). The turbidity and TOC removal rate can reach 95% when the optimal dosage of PAC and HPAC was 0.04 mol⋅L−1, respectively. For AlCl3, higher dosage is needed. HPAC has a good efficiency on small molecular weight compounds removal. Because there are active adsorption groups and the cationic groups in HPAC. These groups can make the make the AOM lose stability and flocculation through neutralization and adsorption bridging.